East Rutherford, N.J. — Head coach Brian Daboll couldn’t hide his feelings. The Giants’ embattled coach wrapped rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart in a hug and a chest slap after New York sealed its first victory of the season, a gritty 21–18 upset over the previously unbeaten Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
“Happy we got him,” Daboll said, grinning.
Dart, making his first NFL start in place of Russell Wilson, delivered a poised performance. The rookie accounted for two touchdowns — a 15-yard rushing score to open the game and a short toss to Theo Johnson — while finishing 13 of 20 for 111 yards through the air and 54 on the ground.
“It’s just football,” Dart said. “Obviously, it’s special being my first start, but I just tried to stay focused and play the game.”
Nabers’ Injury Casts a Shadow
The Giants’ celebration was tempered by concern for standout rookie receiver Malik Nabers, who was carted off in the second quarter with a knee injury after his leg buckled on a deep pass attempt. Daboll said no update would be available until further testing.
“You hate to see your brother go down like that,” Dart said.
Giants Strike First
Dart immediately ignited MetLife Stadium with a 90-yard opening drive capped by his 15-yard touchdown run. The crowd roared again when defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence tipped a Justin Herbert pass, intercepted it, and rumbled 38 yards to set up Jude McAtamney’s 22-yard field goal for a 10–0 lead early in the second quarter.
Los Angeles clawed back just before halftime. On fourth down, an offsides penalty gave Herbert another shot, and he capitalized with a 36-yard strike to Quentin Johnston to cut the deficit to 13–10.
Dart, Defense Deliver
After halftime, Dart showed poise under pressure. Following an interception of Herbert, the rookie shoveled a short pass to Johnson for a 3-yard touchdown. Cam Skattebo punctuated the drive with a backflipping 2-point conversion, stretching New York’s lead to 21–10.
The Chargers countered quickly. Rookie Omarion Hampton broke free for a franchise-record 54-yard touchdown run by a first-year player, and Herbert’s 2-point run brought Los Angeles within three.
But the Giants’ defense made the difference late. Brian Burns’ sack forced a punt, giving Dart the chance to chew up the clock. Herbert had one last possession with 18 seconds left but couldn’t get Los Angeles into field-goal range before time expired.
Numbers and Notes
Herbert finished 23 of 41 for 203 yards, with one touchdown, two interceptions, and a costly late miss.
Johnston caught that lone score and totaled 22 yards on the final play but couldn’t escape bounds to stop the clock.
Hampton carried 12 times for 128 yards and a touchdown to pace the Chargers’ ground game.
Dart briefly left after a hard hit sent him to the medical tent but returned to finish the game.
Coaches React
“We just didn’t execute when it mattered,” Herbert said.
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh agreed: “Guys fought. We weren’t able to close it out — and that’s on me.”
Daboll, meanwhile, praised his rookie quarterback’s toughness: “He gutted it out. He’s tough. I knew that.”
Injuries
Chargers: LT Joe Alt (ankle) was carted off in the first quarter.
Giants: S Jevon Holland left with a neck injury but returned; Nabers’ knee injury remains under evaluation.
Up Next:
Chargers (3–1): Host Washington next Sunday.
Giants (1–3): Travel to New Orleans to face the Saints.
